Having finished my Peacock Shawl (a project that I had started back on November 6, 2016!) I looked at my other WIPs to see what I wanted to tackle finishing next. When I had set it aside back in March of 2023 it was almost finished. I had actually worked one of the sleeves, although I didn’t take a picture. But here is a picture of the body finished.
Although it fit me, it did not have the recommended ease, and after letting my mind ruminate on it in the background and trying it on again, I decided that it really did need more ease and that my gauge was just too tight. I had already gone up one needle size, but I decided I needed to go up more. I was using a 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm needle, and my gauge was 32 stitches and 38 rounds in 4 inches, vice the called for gauge of 27 stitches and 30 rounds in 4 inches, so I decided to go up to a 3.5 mm (US 4) and a 3.75 mm (US 5) and try again. To organize the yarn I got 8 bags, and put a slip of paper with the chart symbol for the color in each one. Then I spent an evening frogging my work and winding lots of little balls of yarn and sorting them all in to the appropriate bags while watching the Chiefs beat the Texans. My Lumos light helped my make sure I got the correct colors in their respective bags.
I had already cast on a fresh start and the larger needles, and going up the needle size seems to have done the trick with regards to gauge. I was worried about the looser gauge looking sloppy with the color work, but so far it seems to be okay.
Pattern: Holly Sweater by Ruth Sorensen
Yarn: Shetland Wool
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm)
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